Fortenberry JD, Tu W, Harezlak J, Katz BP, Orr DP. Condom use as a function of time in new and established adolescent sexual relationships. Am J Public Health 2002;92(2):211-3

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe condom use over time in new and established adolescent relationships.

METHODS: The outcome variable was time (in days) until first unprotected coital event. Analyses involved comparisons of Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS: Survival functions for the 2 relationship groups were significantly different. However, by 21 days the curves had converged: 43% of new and 41% of established relationships involved no unprotected coital events. Time to first unprotected coital event was significantly longer in new than in established relationships.

CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of condom use in ongoing relationships may be a useful intervention to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

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